Saturday, January 24, 2009

RUNNING HOT DVD

On Feb 24th, Code Red DVD, thru Navarre, presents RUNNING HOT! Acclaimed actor Eric Stoltz (MASK, PULP FICTION, THE FLY 2 ) stars in this volatile tale of star-crossed lovers in a last ditch escape from the law. An older stripper, Charlene (Monica Carrico), watches the trial of a young man (Stoltz) accused of murdering his father. As she falls in love with his tragic image, she writes countless love letters to him in prison. When her letter-writing prison obsession actually shows up at her doorstep, who has just made a bloody prison escape, she joins him in a perilous, passionate run for their lives from a sadistic cop (Stuart Margolin, TV's ROCKFORD FILES). They are RUNNING HOT and all of their lives are in the balance. In the tradition of BADLANDS and TRUE ROMANCE, this thrilling 1984 motion picture is a little-seen gem directed by award winning director Mark Griffiths, and from the producer of the popular tv-show THE O.C. The DVD will feature a brand new 16x9 transfer from the negatives. Special features include an alternate title, extensive still gallery, on-camera interview with director Mark Griffth, as well as an audio commentary with Griffth, producer David Calloway, and moderated by Lee Christian. MRP is 19.98.

I think the next title Code Red should release on DVD is Meet The Feebles. Face it, it's LONG overdue for a decent release. What better company to release it on DVD than Code Red? You should get Peter Jackson to help out and get permission and film rights from Wingnut Films, though. I think this is what Code Red should do for a SE:

Code Red, you should consider releasing Meet The Feebles on DVD for sometime in the summer this year. That title fits best in your company. All those DVD if Meet The Feebles released in the past were crap. I highly reccommend you release this title on DVD with permission from Wingnut Films and with the help of Peter Jackson of course. ;)

All fair comments re 'Meet The Feebles', but love it or hate it, I believe Mr. Jackson is on record as saying those waiting for such an edition as Anthony suggests should not hold their breath. My understanding is that, contrary to popular belief, the special features as prepared for, say, 'The Frighteners' although satisfying for PJ as a fanboy and a lover of DVD, take an enormous amount of effort. It's not so much money, helpers, or technology as it is a question of retaining authorial control over the companion pieces, as well as working on his actual films. Don't take my word for it though- I'm not his manager- this is all easily checked online in interviews here in OZ, NZ and OS. Rest assured, the man seems highly sympathetic to the needs and requirements of his fans, and I think under the circumstances he does a great job.

On the other hand, things change; I think Rob Zombie swore after Halloween he would stay away from the remakes. Enough money squawks...

I know a number of inferior 'pirate' and knock off versions of 'Meet the Feebles' exist in the US and UK, but we have had a decent edition here in the antipodes for some time, and although the aspect is only marginally better than the video tape, it is still for my purposes close enough for rock and roll. Our version is closer to the original release version than most other bigger budget films that 'skulk' onto the market trying to pass themselves of as quality transfers. Pshaw...

My expectations are not that high with regard to DVD features. I now have a spare room full of stuff with features I will not live long enough to catch up with, so I am grateful for the efforts of places like 'Code Red', and dismiss that which is absent- unless it is a special case, such as "The Keep", which has been criminally and unjustifiably overlooked.

In any event, keep the faith if you feel that strongly enough about a particular title; perhaps a tidal wave of 'MTF' fans will swell and engulf the planet leaving PJ no alternative but to get his skates on and release such a special effort as mentioned by Anthony...